Lorie Watkins

Many family groups have made a name for themselves in the fields of gospel, bluegrass, and country music but few can claim performance success in all three genres while never veering from their sincere dedication that their music should always reflect the love of Jesus.
Whether performing on a grand stage with country stars such as Randy Travis and Diamond Rio, bluegrass festival or gospel concert in front of thousands, or in the pulpit of a small country church, 2008 Impact Award nominee The Watkins Family raise spirits and hopes of the life to be led as servants of Christ through their harmonies.
While the musical legacy of the Watkins family reaches back for generations in the mountains of northeast Georgia, their music today reflects the best in harmonies and musical instrumentation that can be heard.
Their newest CD "Heaven's Worth Waiting For" features a group at the height of their abilities. Produced by Grammy winner Mark Fain, Grammy nominee Karen Peck Gooch and Danny Jones the CD follows their acclaimed project "Darkness Wept".
The family continues to tour across the United States and Canada appearing at gospel singings, fairs, bluegrass festivals, ministerial conferences and crusades.
Two-time Female Artist of the Year nominee Lorie Watkins sings and plays banjo, mandolin and guitar on stage as well as emcees.
The family made a heralded appearance at the National Quartet Convention in Louisville, KY in 2007 where Lorie had a dream come true as they performed with the legendary banjo stylist Earl Scruggs. The group's appearance was broadcast on the INSP, Inspirational Network. Lorie made a return appearance to share the stage as part of Tim Lovelace's NQC All-Star Band in 2008 and again in 2009.
And the group returned to the NQC main stage to perform in 2010 for the Front Porch Fellowship Bluegrass Gospel Awards show.
The Watkins Family have received nominations for Impact Award and Female Artist of the Year from the Front Porch Fellowship hosted at the National Quartet Convention, Best Contemporary and Traditional Bluegrass Gospel Group by the Society for the Preservation of BlueGrass Music in America which hosts its annual awards in Nashville, and were also nominated as Best Bluegrass Act at the Coca-Cola Music Awards previously hosted in Atlanta.
With numerous albums to their credit they have gained several charting songs in different genres.
The group broke new ground in 1988 becoming the first bluegrass gospel act to perform on Capitol Hill in the capitol Complex in Washington D. C. attended by dignitaries from around the world. For more information you can visit www.watkinsfamilymusic.com

The Lewis Family has been a tradition and legacy of bluegrass gospel music for many many years. And Janis Lewis Phillips was a big part of that family ministry. I feel comfortable in saying that she was a big part because being in a family group myself I realize how great the contribution of each member is to the ongoing success.